Joel, you didn't mention what year your van is so I am going to assume it
has a 2.1L Wasserboxer engine. If so, you need to warm the engine, then
disconnect the Idle Stabilizer Valve (ISV)which mounts on top  center of
the engine (it's a little cylindrical device mounted transversly with a
wire connected to the left end when you are standing at the rear of the
van facing forward.

This little gizmo MUST be disconnected when you set the idle speed
adjustment. It does two things: 1) keeps the idle speed up on a cold
start so the engine doesn't stall. When the engine warms up, the ECU cuts
it out of the circuit because it is no longer needed. 2) The ISV kicks up
the engine idle rpm to 1200/1300 rpm when the AC is on to prevent the
compressor load from stalling the engine. So far as I know this is the
only two times the ISV come into play. But it MUST be disconnected to set
the idle, which should be 800/900 rpm. Just forward of the ISV you should
see a large slotted screw that is the adjustment screw. With the engine
properly set up, turn the screw to adjust the rpm. Once set, shut down,
reconnect the ISV. Restart and see if it idles correctly. Then allow the
engine to cool and go for a cold start, watch the idle. If everything is
right , it will be obvious.

Good luck.

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver

Joel Sell wrote:

> Volks,
>         I've got email, but no internet access, so I can't search the
> archives. Sorry. I'm battling a high idle- about 2k when the engine
> warms up, but begins at 1k when the engine is cold. I replaced the O2
> sensor, and started fiddling with the other adjustments I know of. I
> tried to lower the idle with the little screw on the idle arm (?),
> but it wouldn't go down much and I didn't think that was the root of
> the problem. I tried adjusting that big flathead screw on the
> throttle body, and the idle DID change some, but I wasn't totally
> aware of what I was doing, so I just put it back like it was and left
> it alone. Then I thought I might try to check the timing. How do I do
> this? Do I have to unplug the TempII wires? What is the TempII
> sender? Where is it? Any other suggestions?
> Thanks,
> Joel